Black Pants Policy for your State

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The following was sent out by the NCHSAA in March:

The NFHS Rules Committee and NFHS Manual Committee have approved the use of the Black Pant for high school football. The NCHSAA will be endorsing use of the black pant and will phase in its use as we have done with other equipment/merchandise upgrades. Reasons for implementing use of the black pant:

1. Large volume of request from officials to go to the black pant.
2. Same cost as the knickers -- $42 to $49 based on sizing.
3. Ease in care and laundering.
4. Positive uniform appearance.

2010 Season:

1. Use of the black pants during the 2010 is optional in regular season games on or after October 15. Everyone in the crew must have the black pant for it to be used.
2. Black pants will be required for all officials that work any round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs.
3. Local association(s) has the right to mandate the black pant in the 2010 season for use on or after October 15.
4. If black pants are worn, black socks are required.

2011 Season:

1. Use of the black pants is mandatory for all regular season and State Playoff games on or after October 15.
2. Local booking agent will have the right to waive the October 15 date provision if warm weather dictates use of knickers on or after October 15.
3. If black pants are worn, black socks are required.

The approved black pant is the model offered by Honig’s, the official merchandiser of the NCHSAA. At the booking agent meeting last week, the concern was raised regarding officials who might try to manufacture their own version of the black pant and/or buy a knock-off brand online…this would cause the official to be in violation of the uniform code. In accordance with the NCHSAA Handbook, officials who are in violation of the uniform code will come under the penalty of suspension of not less than 14 days and not more than 365 days